ORGANOCHLORINE: EXPOSURE AND RISK OF BREAST CARCINOMA
Abstract
Organochlorines (OCs) are known to have antiestogenic and estrogenic characteristic in vitro and in vivo. The most significant and considerable influence of estrogen in the development of breast cancer suggests that the exposure to these contaminants could have an impact on the promotion or initiation of breast carcinogens. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of organochlorine on the breast cancer patients. A random collection of blood samples from diagnosed breast cancer patients (N=130) and healthy women (N=50) was carried out with informed constent of the donors at various hospitals of Karachi. The Gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) was used to analyze the OC (alpha-HCH, beta- HCH, gamma-HCH, Aldrin, Dieldrin, DDT and DDE) compounds. The total mean concentration of organochlorine compounds was found significantly higher (?OCs= 0.4713 µg/mL) in experimental group while aldrin is absent in case study. It was observed that highest concentration of ?OCs 0.9434µg/mL was found in last stages of cancer. Present study shows the aggressiveness in stages of breast cancer. Although observed elevated concentration of OC compounds in cases and stages of breast carcinoma but mean concentration were not statistically difference with control from those of population control. In light of the obtained results it has concluded that Organoclorine compounds are may be associated with breast cancer. Further research is recommended to know the precise role and mechanism of OCs in the breast oncology.
